Natural and Technogenic Radionuclides in Soils in a Small Russian Arctic Town

Abstract

The Onega District is among the first ten municipalities of the Arkhangelsk Region with the highest incidence of neoplasms warranting radiological studies. The aim of this research was to study content and distribution of natural and technogenic radionuclides in the urban soils of the Onega municipality and to identify the main low-intensity radioactive anomalies as well as to provide an objective assessment of radiation risks to health of the local population. Methods: A total of 99 soil samples were taken in several parts of the town. Specific activity of radionuclides was assessed using a gamma spectrometer. Standard soil-morphological, soil-geochemical, radiometric, mathematical-statistical and cartographic methods were applied. Results. Color contrast of the soils in different areas indicates the preservation of their relationship with the parent soil. The values of the effective specific activity of natural radionuclides in soil samples ranged from 28 to 99 Bq/kg. Low-intensity radioactive anomalies were revealed for the first time in town. It was determined that the composition of the town's soils ensures that the effective specific activity of natural radionuclides is not exceeded for materials of classes I and II used in construction. Conclusions. The revealed low-intensity radioactive anomalies can be associated with the influx of radionuclides into the soil as a part of coal combustion products in the local heating stations taking into account the active use of coal combustion products by the local population. It is necessary to assess the long-term effect of low-intensity radioactive anomalies on the population. Further research should concentrate on associations between the epidemiological patterns of diseases and radioactivity in Onega.